The Lady of Lothlorien, as was her way, left that very same evening.
Thranduil really wished she hadn't come to Dale in the first place, as he could've done without everyone suddenly bowing and making way for him as he and Bard's children returned to the Lord's manor house. Sigrid, for her part, was constantly apologizing for revealing Thranduil's identity without asking for his permission first.
When Sigrid showed no signs of stopping, even as they approached the dining room, Thranduil held up a hand to stop her. "I do not blame you, Sigrid," he said, once Sigrid stopped mid-apology. "I assure you, had you not done so there is a good chance Galadriel would have had the pleasure of watching me knocked to the ground by three children a thousandth of my age. While I would have preferred to keep my presence here a secret, it seems as though that will no longer be possible, and that is fine," Thranduil said, stressing "fine" so that Sigrid wouldn't begin apologizing again. "I will simply have to deal with the consequences."
Sigrid nodded, accepting Thranduil's statement. Only once Thranduil turned and left the children did Sigrid turn to Tilda and Bain to begin planning how they could use this to their advantage.
By the end of week two of Thranduil's stay in Dale, it was common knowledge that the King of Mirkwood was staying at the home of Lord Bard, whether they knew he was there in disguise or not.
Bard was the last of everyone to find out that the Elvenking was staying in the guest room down the hall from the Lord's own chambers. It wasn't like people were exactly running up to him to ask to speak with Thranduil. Bard was actually relatively relieved that the people of Dale had taken to their visitor, namely Riken, as easily as they had. He would have hated to turn the man away because he made the people formerly of Laketown uncomfortable. Then again, Bard had had a notion that they would not have turned Riken away - not with his story. The people of Dale knew what it was like to have to rebuild their lives from the ground up.
The way that Bard discovered that Thranduil was Riken was completely accidental and completely his own fault. "Master Riken," Bard said, one morning during the second week of Thranduil's stay. "My children have informed me that you have a desire to see -."
What it was that Bard's children had told their father that Thranduil wanted to see the elf never got to hear because Bard suddenly stopped talking. It was only then that Thranduil realized that Bard had been opening the door while he'd been speaking, and Thranduil was still braiding his hair for the day, meaning his glamour was not up. "Ah, Bard," the elf began smoothly, taking this change of events in stride. He didn't get a chance to continue because Bard suddenly shut the door and, from the sound of it, was currently leaning against it.
Thranduil took a moment to actually look at himself then, curious as to what it was that had alarmed Bard so much, aside from the fact that the lord of Dale had just discovered that the King of Mirkwood was staying in his home. At that point, Thranduil realized that he wasn't exactly properly dressed to be seen in public, evidenced by the fact that his outfit for the day was still laid out on the bed, waiting for Thranduil to put the clothes on. With a faint grin, Thranduil decided that it was his lack of shirt that had thrown Bard into such a state, not to mention the elf's sleep pants were not exactly for the public eye. His robe may have been the most appropriate piece of his attire, though it hung open to reveal his chest.
(Thranduil tried not to preen too much over the fact that apparently his bare chest alone was enough to make Bard embarrassed.)
A few moments later, after Bard had presumably had enough time to compose himself, Thranduil heard a knock on the door. By this point, the elf had decided that it would be beneficial for this conversation if he either put a shirt on or closed his robe. Closing his robe seemed to be the easier option. "Come in, Bard," Thranduil said, seating himself on the edge of the bed with a slight smile.
Cautiously, Bard opened the door before stepping inside so as to close the door behind him. "My lord Thranduil," the former bargeman said, bowing before Thranduil once he was far enough inside the room and had closed the door. Thranduil motioned for Bard to stand straight, the smile still on the Elvenking's face. "I am confused," Bard admitted, standing awkwardly where he'd stopped to bow with his hands behind his back.
The elf let out a laugh, gesturing for Bard to sit beside him on the bed. "I find that it would be beneficial if I apologized first for this small act of mine," Thranduil said as Bard pulled up the chair to sit in front of the bed. "I am fairly certain that I did not plan my disguise being so easily discovered by everyone in Dale."
Bard blinked once before actually processing Thranduil's words. "Are you saying that everyone, except for myself, knew that you were staying here?"
"It appears to be that way," Thranduil replied, obviously amused by Bard's surprise. "Though, I do not believe they were all aware before yesterday evening. Your eldest, Sigrid, may have had something to do with the spreading of that information, if only by accident. Like your discovery of my stay just now," he couldn't resist adding, pleased when Bard's cheeks took on a faint pink color.
The lord of Dale cleared his throat, so as to regain at least a tiny shred of his dignity. "My lord, may I ask, what are you doing in Dale?" Bard held up his hands, almost alarmed at the sound of his question. "What I mean by that is what are you doing in Dale in disguise? It would have been no trouble for us to accommodate you and your party if you have visited without this charade," he said, fidgeting with his hands.
Thranduil shifted, deciding to stick with the truth, even if it was the more embarrassing option. "In truth, I found I missed Dale and the company I had found when I was last here," he said, looking at Bard coolly, internally glad that he wasn't showing his embarrassment. "It occurred to me that I did not have a legitimate reason to visit, although I surely could have created one without any difficulty. However, I thought it to be a far more fun option if I were to visit in secret, see how Dale had changed without having people bowing to me at every step. I wished to see how the people of Laketown had turned their lives around and made a home out of Dale, if they had succeeded." He shook his head after a moment. "It was not a thought I would have had perhaps a century ago," Thranduil said, turning to look out of the window out to Dale.
"I'm glad that time has so changed that you would willing visit Dale without any reason to, my lord," Bard said, drawing Thranduil's eye back to him. The Elvenking did not fail to note the way Bard couldn't quite stop himself from smiling, no doubt from the fact that Thranduil had essentially said that he missed Bard. "With that having been said, however, is it wrong for me to be concerned as to whether or not at least one person knew you were returning to Dale, even in disguise, my lord?"
It wasn't a great stretch of Thranduil's imagination to realize that Bard was worried that Thranduil had left his home unattended for nearly two weeks now. "No, I assure you, Dragonslayer. There is a good number of people in Mirkwood who are aware of my current trip to Dale, whether it be in disguise or as myself." He looked at Bard again, a vaguely amused look on the lord of Dale's face. "Is that your only concern with my presence here or is there something else you wish to know?"
Bard opened his mouth to reply only to close it again as he actually seemed to consider the possible questions lurking in the back of his mind. "Yes, actually, I do have another question." Thranduil adjusted on the bed slightly, gesturing for Bard to continue as he did so. "When you stopped by my study the other day, as Riken I mean," the lord of Dale began, forming his thoughts into coherent sentences as he spoke. "What exactly was going on there?"
Thranduil was enjoying Bard's discomfort far too much if the way the smile on his face refused to go away was any sign. "I believe it is called flirting, Lord Bard." He smirked slowly, watching Bard's expression go from thoughtful to slightly confused. "If you do not object," Thranduil began, making Bard look back up at him. "I believe it would be best if I were to finish getting dressed." Thranduil raised an eyebrow at Bard after a moment. "Unless you would care to stay and rid me of my clothing instead?"
At that, Bard's jaw literally dropped open. "I'm not sure whether to inform you that that was a very eloquent use of words or simply do as you say," the lord of Dale admitted after a moment, more stunned than embarrassed by Thranduil's words. After processing what he had just said, however, a faint blush crossed Bard's cheeks.
However, that was nothing compared to the look of utter surprise on Thranduil's face. Quickly, though, it changed into a very predatory grin. "I hope you realize that unless you leave, I will most likely do something very rash."
What else Thranduil wasn't expecting was for Bard to match his grin, the lord of Dale standing so as to enter the Elvenking's personal space. "I should hope for such an action were it the direct result of something by my own doing."
Thranduil hummed consideringly, very much liking this turn of events. "Need I remind you, Lord Bard, of what your reaction was when you entered my room only to discover that I was lacking a shirt?"
Bard hummed this time, apparently needing no reminders as he allowed himself a shameless look at Thranduil's person, his eyes resting longer on where Thranduil's robe had begun to slip open. "Would you object if I were to kiss you?"
His question resulted in a haze of movement, neither royal being aware of which of them moved first, only that neither of them was going to object to their current activity, namely kissing the other.
Thranduil pulled away first, his mind slightly hazy as it had been quite some time since he was last romantically involved with another. Dragging his mind away from that thought, he grinned at Bard. "I believe your children are awaiting your return."
"My children have known that you were staying here for several days. I believe I am owed the extra time that I could've had, taking long discussions with you."
Thranduil's only response was laughter.
When Bard returned to his study, he was unsure how to react when he found his children there, supposedly waiting for him to return with their guest. As they were, Sigrid was sitting behind his desk, absentmindedly looking over some papers, while Bain looked over her shoulder studying the paperwork with far more interest. Tilda was curled up in a chair, reading through a book that the dwarves had sent her, made more of pictures than of words. Bard cleared his throat, drawing all of their attention to him. Now that he knew what all of his children had been keeping secret for the past two weeks, he could tell that they were waiting for his reaction to Thranduil's presence.
"It seems that Master Riken is not yet prepared to continue his tour of Dale," Bard began, watching as his children's face fell slightly. "I must admit, though, I was unaware that it took Elves so long to prepare themselves for the day, even when they are traveling in disguise." All three of his children's mouths dropped open, their eyes wide as they watched Bard make his way to where Sigrid and Bain were behind his desk.
"Da!"
Clearly, none of his children were prepared to just accept the fact that Bard now knew that Thranduil was staying with them with no explanation as to how Bard had discovered that in the first place. Instead of immediately humoring them, Bard raised an eyebrow at them, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What? Am I not allowed to know that King Thranduil was here?"
"Not without telling us how you found out," Tilda answered him, her book lying forgotten on the table beside her. Bard felt the tips of his ears turn pink, and was unable to avoid noticing the look that suddenly crossed over Sigrid's face. No doubt his eldest had already formed some ideas as to how it was her father discovered the King Thranduil.
Bard cleared his throat, giving Sigrid a glare before looking back at Bain and Tilda. "I may have attempted to enter his room without first knocking on his door," Bard admitted. Immediately, all of the children's expressions changed from awe and slight disappointment to mischievousness, the three of them all clearly beginning to plan something. "Whatever it is that you three are planning, I'm saying no to it now."
Tilda mock-pouted while Bain and Sigrid just laughed, their father's face suddenly flushed. "Must you be so distrusting of us, Da?" Sigrid bumped her shoulder against Bard's side as she spoke, laughter coloring her words.
"You three worked with King Thranduil and Lady Galadriel to hide King Thranduil's presence from me for two weeks. I would say it's only fair that I don't trust whatever it is you may be planning now." Peals of laughter followed Bard's statement, Tilda now over her frustration and Bain and Sigrid just having been set off again. "If you three think this is so entertaining, why don't you go bother His Majesty so that we may proceed with a walk through Dale as you planned?"
Tilida was off in a manner of seconds, gone so fast that Bard could imagine he could see the trail of wind following her. Bain was much slower to follow, sharing an over dramatic eye roll with Sigrid before heading out. Bard's eldest, on the other hand, apparently had other plans.
Sigrid perched herself on the edge of her father's desk, a smile crossing her face as she slowly came to a realization. "How long have you known that Riken was Thranduil?"
Bard gave a little shrug, not at all surprised that Sigrid knew that he had known. "Since Bain and Tilda came with us on the tour of Dale," he answered, smiling up at Sigrid as he leaned back into his chair. "I had my suspicions before then, and even then I wasn't really sure. I wasn't absolutely positive until today."
"When you caught the Elvenking of Mirkwood getting dressed in his room," Sigrid said, not bothering to beat around the bush with this particular subject. A slow smile started to grow on her face when she caught sight of the dreamy-eyed look on her father's face through his smugness at having been proven right about Riken's identity. She cleared her throat, taking on what she liked to call Bard's professional voice. "I take it you confronted him appropriately about his state of undress when he should be expecting company?"
Her father flushed, suddenly aware of what he must look like to Sigrid. "I may have mentioned to him that it was unwise of leave himself exposed when an enemy could attack at any moment and require his presence." Bard cleared his throat, carefully avoiding his daughter's knowing look as he cast an eye over the papers Sigrid and Bain had been looking at earlier. "I would have thought that an Elvenking such as himself would be aware of such dangers."
Sigrid hummed, clearly aware of her father's actions. "As I understand it, sexual intercourse in Elvish traditions results in marriage." Bard's cough to cover the absolute shock in response to Sigrid's statement did nothing to deter her grin. "Though surely King Thranduil will have a lengthy discussion with you before you two decide to, if ever, commit yourselves to each other in such a way," Sigrid continued, taking obvious enjoyment in her father's embarrassment.
Bard cleared his throat in an attempt to convey some of his discomfort. "As well-intentioned your concern may be, Sigrid, I can assure you that King Thranduil and I are well aways from that conversation happening, should it ever." Sigrid hummed again, her amusement clearly growing in response to Bard's discomfort. "I have no desire as to how you learned this information, nor do I ever want to know. Now, go keep King Thranduil company while I finish off these papers," Bard said, realizing how bizarre his current situation was.
His eldest hummed after a moment, sliding off of her father's desk. "It was fun keeping it from you, while it lasted," Sigrid said, draping herself over Bard's shoulders. "I thought King Thranduil would've revealed himself to you by now, though." Bard hummed, acknowledging Sigrid's statement. "It doesn't strike you as strange that he's waited two weeks to tell you?"
"King Thranduil has his own sense of humor, as do you and Bain and Tilda. It was, no doubt, a great source of amusement for you four." Bard patted Sigrid's hand. "Lady Galadriel too had great fun in teasing Thranduil during her stay."
Sigrid laughed, resting her head on Bard's shoulder. "I think that should've given him away more than anything else that happened." She smiled contently, recalling the Lady Galadriel's teasing with great fondness. "Her comfort around him was more than enough for many of the townspeople to believe there was more to Riken that met the eye."
Bard laughed quietly. "I must admit, neither the Lady Galadriel nor King Thranduil seem to have a firm grasp on the concept of subtlety." He turned his head to press a kiss on the top of Sigrid's head. "Go now. I've got to make sure that you didn't actually do anything to any of my papers."
Sigrid sighed dramatically, and Bard smiled at the fact that his oldest could still act like the child she was. "Very well," she said, picking her head up off of Bard's shoulder. She skipped as she made her way to the door, hanging off the doorframe and into the hallway once she reached it. "Na vedui!" Bard's eyebrows shot up his forehead at Sigrid's use of Elvish. "My father, Lord Bard, has made progress in the pursuit of Meleth tȋn, King Thranduil!"
There was a loud thunk as Bard dropped his head to rest on his desk. He was never going to hear the end of this. At least he found out why that mysterious man seemed so familiar - and he was certainly going to enjoy becoming even more familiar with the man.
(Elf. Bard really just wanted to kiss Thranduil again.)
A/N: IT'S DONE! AFTER TWO YEARS, IT'S FINALLY DONE! Thanks to everyone who suffered through me not updating for two years! It's been one hell of a ride. (Sorry if it seems kinda rushed. I just really wanted to get this finished even though I had the majority of this actually written out two years ago. Really - I'm pretty sure Bard walking in on Thranduil was one of the original pieces of this story.)
Elvish:
Na vedui! - At last!
Meleth tȋn - his love
